Tasha: Welcome to the Little Shot Podcast, where big dreams begin with little shots like you. I’m your host, Tasha Eizinger, author of the Little Shot Picture Book series, and I will be interviewing the main characters in the Little Shot books. They are all excited to share their stories with you, my friends. I have loved doing these interviews because you will get to hear some of the backstories that couldn’t be shared in the books. This is the place where we talk about big dreams, character values, and what it takes to shine bright in this world. Whether you’re a kid or a grownup, this podcast is for you. So bring us along on your car ride, snuggle up with your favorite blanket, or get comfy in your classroom as we dive in to today’s episode. 

Tasha: Today’s episode is based on the first book in the Little Shot series called The Little Shot Courage. Courage is leading from your heart despite your fear. To learn more about living courageously, we have the sweetest guest today. She’s seen many stars come and go. It’s gentle, wise, and full of stories. Please welcome Little Shot’s grandma. 

Little Shot’s grandma: Thank you for having me, Tasha. Hello, my little stars. 

Tasha: Oh, Grandma, I’m sure we could chat for hours about the many stories you could share. When you were younger, you wanted to be a big shot, also known as a shooting star, just like Little Shot. What happened? 

Little Shot’s grandma: I did want to be a big shot. I used to watch the big shots and dream of soaring across the sky with them. I wanted to be a shooting star. It looked exciting and fun. I even made wishes upon them. However, I couldn’t get myself to take the next step. 

Tasha: What was that?

Little Shot’s grandma: I kept my dream quiet and didn’t ask for help. I thought maybe it was silly or that I wouldn’t be able to do it.  So I stayed quiet. I watched others soar while cheering them on. 

Tasha: I love that you were still encouraging others. even though it was something you wanted so badly for yourself. Hey friends, that’s you, the one listening to this podcast. Do you have a dream in your heart? Do you think it seems silly or impossible? Little Shot’s grandma understands how you feel. Keep listening and learn from her experiences so you can go for your dream. Grandma, what stopped you from trying?

Little Shot’s grandma: Fear. I was afraid of failing, afraid of what others might say. I didn’t believe in myself enough to take the first step, which is asking for help. 

Tasha: Fear can be very loud and overshadow many things. 

Little Shot’s grandma: What would have helped you move past that? A couple of things. First, I wish someone had told me it’s okay to be scared. Try anyway. That would have led me to have courage. Secondly, that courage would have helped me find a mentor, which would have been a big shot who could have taught me how to become a big shot like them. 

Tasha: Courage and mentor are big words. First, what does courage mean to you? 

Little Shot’s grandma: Courage is leading from your heart despite your fear. That means if there’s something in your heart you know is the right thing to do, or it’s something that’s important to you, as long as it’s safe, you should do it, even if you’re afraid. Like I was afraid to ask for help. Now I know that asking for help is a sign of confidence and strength. 

Tasha: Hey friends, this is a spoiler alert. We learn in the fifth book, The Little Shot Resilience. that grandma did have courage in a different way. Sometimes we can have courage in some aspects of our life, but that doesn’t mean we always have it. That’s okay. Little Shot’s grandma did the best she could. I know you’re doing your best too. I’m so proud of you. Grandma, before we talk more about courage, please tell everyone what a mentor is. 

Little Shot’s grandma: A mentor is someone who has achieved what you’re wanting to learn how to do. For example, if you want to be a veterinarian, you should ask a veterinarian how to become one. A mentor tells you the steps and encourages you along the way. 

Tasha: Thank you for explaining those big words. Does it get easier to live courageously the more you practice it? 

Little Shot’s grandma: A little bit. You may always have a bit of nervousness, but you learn not to fear it. We see this in Little Shot’s story. Every time she took a brave step, her courage grew. And you can do the same, my little stars listening today. 

Tasha: So little bit by little bit, our courage can grow. What did you teach Little Shot about mistakes? 

Little Shot’s grandma: I told her that my biggest regrets aren’t the times I tried and failed. They’re the times I lacked the courage to try. I eventually learned that it’s okay to make mistakes. Each one is a lesson teaching us. We can become better because of our mistakes. I saw this with Little Shot. Every time she chose to keep going after a mistake, her courage sparkled brighter. 

Tasha: Mistakes aren’t fun to make, but you’re right. They do teach us a lot if we allow them to. Hey friends, what is the mistake you made recently? I’m sure it doesn’t make you happy thinking about it. What I want you to think about is this. What did you learn? How can you do better next time? Grandma, after all of your life experiences, do you still make mistakes? 

Little Shot’s grandma: Oh, yes. I’m very good at making mistakes and even better at learning from them. The goal isn’t to avoid mistakes. The goal is to become better because of them. 

Tasha: Hmm. Some kids are afraid of making mistakes because they don’t want to look silly. What would you tell them? 

Little Shot’s grandma: I tell them looking silly is part of being human. Every big shot you admire has made mistakes. sometimes funny ones. The important thing is not to hide from trying. A stumble today can be a story you laugh at tomorrow. However, it’s a guarantee that if you don’t try, you don’t know what you can accomplish. If you have a hard time believing in yourself, my little stars, know that I believe in you. 

Tasha: Thank you for being so encouraging. Do mentors help others believe in themselves too? 

Little Shot’s grandma: Definitely. Remember, mentors are people who have accomplished what you want to accomplish. Little Shot wanted to become a big shot, so she needed to ask a big shot what to do. Not only does a mentor show you the way, they also encourage you. 

Tasha: For a friend who don’t have anyone they can ask for help right now, what do you recommend so they can start believing in themselves? 

Little Shot’s grandma: This is when you become your own encourager. Look in the mirror and say, I am capable. I can try. I shine bright. You can write yourself a note or draw a picture of time you have shown courage before. Sometimes you have to be your very first cheerleader. 

Tasha: I hope all of our friends listening have someone that believes in them. I know you and I both believe in them, Grandma. Hey, friends, say this after me. I am capable. I can try. I sign bright. Let’s do it again. I am capable. I can try. I sign bright. Grandma, what do you want every little shot listening to know? 

Little Shot’s grandma: I want them to know courage matters more than perfection. Trying matters more than winning. 

Tasha: But winning is fun. 

Little Shot’s grandma: Yes, winning is most fun when you have overcome challenges to get there. It builds your self-esteem when you accomplish something that’s hard. But you have to learn to love trying and the effort you put in because you can’t possibly always win. 

Tasha: All right, that’s true. Anything else? 

Little Shot’s grandma: My little star is asking for help is courageous. Somewhere someone will happily help you achieve your dreams. Your dreams are worth chasing. You are special. And the dreams in your heart matter. You were made to shine. 

Tasha: I hope our friends take what you shared to heart. Little Shot became a big shot and started doing something that our friends could do too. Will you please share with everyone listening? 

Little Shot’s grandma: I would love to. Little Shot started to keep a big shot journal so she could write down five key things she learned about living courageously. 

Tasha: Yes, her journal is at the back of each book. If our friends listening don’t have a book, that’s okay. They can get their own journal page at thelittleshot.com forward slash kids to print it off and color it. 

Little Shot’s grandma: They can also create their own page with a blank piece of paper and whatever they want to write with. There will be journal ideas at the end of this episode. 

Tasha: Great idea. I’m sure our friends are creative. Thank you so much for being here today, Little Shots Grandma. I am certain you have inspired whoever is listening, wherever they are. 

Little Shot’s grandma: Thank you for having me. I love sharing about some of the things I have learned in my life. Remember, my little stars, you were made to shine. 

Tasha: Yes, they were. Little Shots Grandma, thank you again for being here. And thank you, friends, for joining us today. Remember, every big shot started out as a little shot. Keep believing, keep practicing, and keep shining your light. 

Did you know at the back of every Little Shot book there is a Big Shot journal page? It’s a coloring page for the copy you have at home. Please don’t color the one at your local library. If you can’t write down the journal questions right now, you can access them at thelittleshot.com forward slash kids. If you’re not able to write answers, that’s okay. Draw a picture instead. 

What is one thing you learned today that you want to try this week? You could journal about one or all three of these things. 

1. How do you want to live with courage? Is it asking a friend to play or trying something new?
2. What is a mistake you made recently? What did you learn from it? How can you do it better next time? 
3. What are some encouraging things you can say to yourself? What makes you happy to be you? List everything you can think of. The longer the list, the better. 

You can answer one or all three of those in your journal by writing about it or drawing a picture. Don’t want to put it on paper? You can talk about it with someone you trust. Every small step takes you closer to becoming a big shot. 

Hey grown-ups, here are two quick thoughts for you whether you are a parent, grandparent, or educator. 

Number one: Little Shot’s grandma and the Little Shot Courage share that her greatest regrets were not the times she tried and failed, rather the times she lacked the courage to try. People in nursing homes have shared a similar sentiment. We do not want to live a life of regret ourselves, and we certainly want the children in our lives to have the confidence to live courageously. Set the example first by processing what you preach and remember to be a source of encouragement for others, especially kids, in your life. 

Number two: What is a dream you, your child, or your student has? Who would be a good mentor? Just because it’s a dream doesn’t mean it has to be pursued. Sometimes it helps hearing what it takes to make it happen to determine if it’s worth pursuing. Please don’t discourage dreams unless they are dangerous or pump up kids with a blanketed statement of, you can do anything you put your mind to. Help them see the steps and choose if it’s something they still want to dream about. 

Three, two, one. WISHHH. If you like this episode, please share it with a friend, subscribe, and leave a review.